Two Syllable Boy Names

The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday). Kwasi is the name for boys born on a Sunday. (The name for girls born on a Sunday is Akosua).

Ilyas is the more traditional Arabic spelling, but Ilyes is the common version in Northern Africa and France, which has a large Algerian population.

Short form of the name Anglicized as Saladin, very popular throughout the Arab world.

It may surprise Americans to hear that Ulrik is a fashionable choice elsewhere in the world, as U is the least-used letter for given names in the US. In recent years, Ulrik has been one of the fastest-rising names in Norway.

Flavius is an ancient Roman family name associated with a dynasty of emperors. It has an appealingly flavorful first syllable, and is the name of a stylist in the Hunger Games series.

Pacome is a French saint's name rarely heard in this country, but currently being revived in its native France.

Some variants are Pacomi, Pacomio and Pacomius.

Ronen derives from the Hebrew word ron, meaning "song," but in America it is also used as a spelling variation of the Irish name Ronan. With both Ronan and Ronin is the Top 500, Ronen has also gained more attention. Given to 86 babies in 2023, it has more than doubled in use over the last decade.

A surprisingly rare form of Arthur that rings more Scottish, and lends itself easily to Art as a nickname.

Cool spin on Miklos, a Hungarian form of Michael.

Extremely meaningful in the Buddhist culture, where a lotus symbolizes the victory of the spirit over the senses.

Blessed and Blessing are two new entrants in the word name and virtue name categories, gaining popularity for both boys and girls.

A blend of Mervyn and Marvin that is every bit as dated as either of the originals. That -erv sound is difficult no matter what. Mervin is still used today among Amish families.

Brother for Heaven or Nevaeh.

Takai is primarily seen as a surname in Japan but has great potential as a first name abroad. The authentic pronunciation is three syllables, but American parents may be saying it as tah-KYE.

Anglicized form of Heinrich

In demonology, Foras is a President of Hell who commands legions of demons. He teaches logic and ethics.

Saint Madern, also sometimes referred to as Saint Madron, was a Cornish monk and hermit sanctified in the 6th century. The Cornish village of Madron is named after him.